This October, a Global Public Art Project Turns 35 Cities into Playgrounds

This month, cities around the globe are embracing a significant public art initiative led by Nōvo Collective. The project, known as uncommissioned, features 54 talented artists who reinterpret urban spaces as playgrounds, encouraging participants “to insert whimsical, unnoticed, or subtly rebellious contributions into the fabric of daily life.”

In Stellenbosch, South Africa, Strijdom van der Merwe has created sun-sensitive text works with profound messages such as “the visible is a shadow cast by the invisible.” Meanwhile, in Valencia, Escif painted small fruits scattered throughout the landscape, and Vhils crafted a series of fragmented faces on a cultural center in Munich.

<img alt="an installation by Vhils featuring circular portraits on a building" decoding="async" height="1333" loading="lazy" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px />

Notably, Nomad Studio has built a striking wooden formation in a Castilla y León park, Spain. Resembling a circle spreading outward, it consists of branches that create a tranquil space with a skyward opening, illuminating the interior with natural light.

The initiative uncommissioned will continue throughout October, showcasing works by Cannupa Hanska Luger, Jason deCaires Taylor, Stephanie Brown, and many others across 35 different cities. Discover more on the project’s official website.

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